Per Mertesacker is entrusted with the job of collecting fines from Arsenal players in breach of club discipline but the German may find himself going cap in hand to manager Arsene Wenger for his place in the team.

Fabio Capello has held talks with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about becoming the club’s new manager.

It was reported in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport today that the former England coach has been in discussions with the Russian multi-billionaire about his plans for Chelsea next season.

As Standard Sport revealed last month, Abramovich is not keen on employing current interim first-team coach Roberto di Matteo on a permanent basis even though he has taken the club to their second Champions League Final — which they play on Saturday against Bayern Munich — and guided them to FA Cup success.

The Chelsea owner wants a more experienced coach to take charge and oversee the rebuilding of the squad, especially after the experiment of using a younger man in Andre Villas-Boas backfired when he was sacked in March.

Capello has made no secret of the fact he wants to return to club football and enjoyed living in the capital during his four-year reign as England boss.

While one source admitted there is a suspicion that the 65-year-old is behind the leak as part of his plans to push his name forward for the post, it is believed he is on the club’s wish-list along with Germany coach Joachim Low.

Abramovich’s first-choice targets Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola appear to be out of reach as the former wants to stay at Real Madrid and the latter is determined to take a year off after quitting Barcelona.

It is understood that Guardiola is also keen on taking on a challenging project on his return and wants to build a club into a major force rather than take over one like Chelsea who are now an established name in European competition.

The report in Italy suggests that Capello has not talked about a length of contract yet, however he has sought reassurances from Abramovich over his ambition and how much he is willing to spend on new players in the transfer market during the summer.

Capello, who resigned as England coach in February after the Football Association stripped Chelsea defender John Terry of the captaincy, wants to prove a point in this country.

He was criticised for his performance as England coach after the humiliating last-16 defeat at the hands of Germany in the 2010 World Cup.